State Govt may ban forcible conversions8217;

Mumbai, June 28: In a move aimed at Christian religious organisations and with an eye on the Hindu votebank on the eve of the Lok Sabha e...

Mumbai, June 28: In a move aimed at Christian religious organisations and with an eye on the Hindu votebank on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, the Sena-BJP government is considering a legislation to prohibit 8220;forcible conversions8221;. A draft bill proposed by the General Administration Department in this regard has been taken on the agenda of the state Cabinet and might be taken up on Tuesday.

The bill suggests a simple imprisonment of one year or a fine of Rs 5,000 or both, for people indulging in forcible conversion. In case the person who has been forcibly converted is a woman or scheduled tribe person, then the proposal says, the imprisonment should be two years and fine Rs 10,000 or both.

According to a senior Mantralaya officer, the offences registered under the legislation would be cognisable and will be investigated by an official not lower than the rank of police inspector.

Though the Cabinet is likely to take it up on Tuesday, there is some uncertainty over the introduction of the bill dueto the fluid political situation in the country. 8220;The bill will have to be approved by the cabinet first and then it will be introduced in the legislature. In the event the assembly is dissolved if state polls are held simultaneously with LS, then the proposal will have to be dropped,8221; the officer pointed out.

Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom religion. In addition, the article provides for freedom of conscience, freedom of profession and freedom to practice and propagate religion. 8220;But,8221; said the officer, 8220;there is no provision to prohibit forcible conversions. Under such circumstances, it was felt that a comprehensive legislation should be introduced to check forcible conversions8221;.

Coming as it does at a time when the embers of the anti-Christian riots in Gujarat and the murder of the Staines in Orissa have hardly died, the move is certain to raise many a hackle.

The officer cited similar laws in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh as a precedent.